England and Wales. While the CPS has moved towards having more permanently employed barristers, it still regularly hires barristers in private practice to repre

England and Wales. While the CPS has moved towards having more permanently employed barristers, it still regularly hires barristers in private practice to represent the Crown in the lower courts as so-called "agents" that are "instructed" by the CPS [1]. This has largely historical reasons; until not so long ago, England did not have designated prosecutors (in fact, well into the 19th century it often fell to private citizens to initiate prosecution, until the police started to take over that role). That said, the CPS will likely still have more resources at its disposal than public defenders. [1] http://www.euro-justice.com/member_states/england_wales/country_report/451/ http://www.euro-justice.com/member_states/england_wales/coun...